Meet the author
Welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my blog!
My name is Maria. I am a holistic nutritionist, food blogger, recipe developer, aspiring food photographer, and dog lover. I created this blog in 2011 to keep track of my recipes and share my passion for nutrition and wellness.
I know that many people still think healthy food is boring, but I believe it’s delicious and beautiful.
About My Recipes
I don’t count calories or follow any trendy diets. I just do my best to eat a variety of fresh whole foods.
My goal is to create balanced meals with good sources of protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, healthy fats, lots of veggies, greens, and all other great-tasting foods that are good for you.
Cooking at home can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for beginners, so I try to simplify complicated recipes by providing clear instructions, step-by-step photos, and videos.
My recipes are usually inspired by the seasons. I also enjoy experimenting with flavors, techniques, and ingredients from around the world.
About My Work
In 2014, I completed the Applied Nutrition Diploma program at the Canadian Alive Academy of Natural Health and received my Holistic Nutritionist Certification.
Since then, I’ve focused on recipe development, food photography, and freelance writing. My work has appeared on popular websites as well as in print.
Here are a few highlights:
- My recipes have been featured in many round-ups on websites such as Country Living, Buzzfeed, Greatist, Yummly, FaveHealthy Recipes, and many more;
- I wrote articles about healthy eating and cooking for the Vitamix blog;
- In addition to developing recipes for my blog, I also create recipes for Curious Cuisiniere;
- My recipes are available through the online meal-planning service called EatLove;
- My recipe and the photo of Chocolate and Raspberry Chia Pudding were published in Sweet Dreams Magazine (by Lisa Kochen & Backen, Germany).
As seen in:
A Little Bit About Me
Here are a few facts I thought you might want to know about me:
- I learned how to cook by following recipes and carefully measuring ingredients;
- I am a Russian-born Canadian with German roots;
- I have been living in Toronto, Canada, for over 20 years;
- I speak three languages – Russian, English and German;
- I read cookbooks like novels;
- I like to sew my own clothes;
- My favorite foods are coconut, chocolate, and raspberries.
Shout-Out to My Team
Publishing a food blog is not an easy project, and I could have never done it without my team’s support! I am very fortunate to have met the talented, creative, and reliable people who help me make the magic happen.
And a Big Thank You to My Readers!
I really appreciate everyone who reads my blog and tries my recipes. We all live busy lives, so I am very grateful when my readers take time out of their day to rate my recipes and write comments.
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35 responses to “Meet Maria”
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@Maria Ushakova, what on earth is navy pasta? 🙂 I did a search here on your website, but I didn’t come up with anything. Very curious!
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@Petra, Navy pasta is a Russian pasta dish. I made the recipe for another website. You can check it out here: https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/russian-navy-pasta/
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Maria, what a delightful find your site is. I love the variety in your recipes, the healthful approach, the amount of information you offer, your photography, and layout. Thanks for making this available.
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@Barbara, Aww, thank you so much! I am so glad you like it 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
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WOW! What a fantastic site. I’m 88 years old with NO prescription drugs and ALL readings in the normal range. My doctors can’t believe what they see. The only answer to good health is just FOOD. The Greeks had it right 2000 years ago.
Stumbled across your site looking for black rice, since the nutritional value is off the chart. Everything else looks wonderful. Will I ever get out of the kitchen? Thanks so much.-
@Francine, Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I am so glad you like my blog. Kitchen is a great place to be 🙂
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Our friend gave us a huge basket of his avocados, which all ripened within a very short time of each other. Looking for avocado soup recipes, I came across yours and have now twice used it when entertaining friends. I live in Spain, and cold anything is just perfect at this time of the year. I had to write to you to let you know how much everyone has complimented me on your recipe, which, of course, I have passed on to them. Thank you. I love the tip you give about storing the soup in a glass jar – it really keeps the soup that lovely fresh green color.
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@Amanda, Hi Amanda! I am so glad you like the recipe! Thank you so much for writing the lovely comment. It really made my day. I appreciate you taking the time to write it 🙂
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I just finished my meal that consisted of the Pan Fried Trout Fillet recipe. Left a review (with apologies for the lack of brevity!).
VERY GOOD!
— The Mad Chef Wanna Be!
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@CK, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! I am glad you liked the recipe 🙂
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I’m going to try your recipe for rainbow trout, which seems easy and quick by seasoning and simply frying in a few minutes. I like easy, by the way.
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Hi!
Your profile is very appealing to my interests! Reading about you I searched Alive Academy and found some nutritional courses that I may be interested in. Many thanks for sharing your education and experience. I am a Romanian Canadian living in Vancouver and I will gladly follow you to learn more about nutrition and how can I improve the family meals.-
@Enid, I am so glad you found the information helpful! Thank you so much for checking out my blog 🙂
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I have had an absolutely wonderful time examining the recipes here. I was looking specifically for a recipe for a salad using raw turnips and found that and some other wonderful recipes. I would like to come back again and I have included my email address below.
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@Barbara, I am so glad you like my recipes! At this time, I am unable to send out email newsletters. For updates, you can follow me on facebook right here: http://www.facebook.com/MariaUshakova.FanPage
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Maria: question. Can you do a similar article for ancient grains? I bake sourdough bread using red fife, kernza, spelt and Einkorn. It’s to find sprouted organic flour like kernza and spelt. When possible but I’ve not been able to find the reliable glycemic index or glycemic load data.
Thanks for your help.-
@Craig, Try https://glycemicindex.com/gi-search/ . If they don’t have it, then it’s probably not available.
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Hello Maria,
I found your website, when I was googling how to make thyme tea. Voila, you popped up. This morning, as I sit at my computer in the US, we are beginning day 5 of self-isolation. My husband and I are seniors. I never thought of myself as old, until the worldwide epidemic hit. I love your website, your sense of humor, and your words. I will be following you on fb.
Also, we adopted our daughter from Russia. What part of Russia are you from? She is from Tyumen.
Stay well. Drink tea, and may we all breathe well.
Hope-
Hi Hope! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It made my morning so much better 🙂 Isn’t it ironic that in times like these, when most of us are staying at home in isolation, we realize that we are all connected to each other in more ways than we’ve ever imagined. I am from Novosibirsk, which is not that far from Tyumen considering Russian distances. Stay home, stay safe, and hopefully, the situation will improve soon.
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I’m just seeing your response now, as I am beginning my thyme tea regimen, since winter is around the corner. I have good friends who adopted their daughter from Novosibirsk.
Thank you for your warm response.Be well,
Hope-
Hi Hope! Great to have you back 🙂 I find it so interesting that your friends adopted their daughter from my home town. What a small world we live in!
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We are looking into eating to stabilize our blood sugar, neither my husband or I are diabetic, we just want to be more healthy. One question though, I am allergic to tree nuts so what can I use to substitute. I am not allergic to peanuts, but am concerned about the fats.
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Hi Stephanie! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog :). I would suggest consulting someone who specializes in allergies to find a safe substitute for tree nuts.
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I’m going to try your spelt pancakes and raspberry muffins I am enjoying your blog just found it I will post picture I may need to use black berries will that work thanks Denorah
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Hello, Maria! I found your blog via Pinterest, and I am really enjoying reading. I have visited your beautiful city (long time ago), and visited within the Ukrainian community there. You have chosen a lovely place to live!
I am 60 and living with type 2 Diabetes, and trying to help others through a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingwellwithdiabetes . It is intended as a support group and a source of internet resources to help those with Diabetes live healthier lives.
I appreciate this blog, and look forward to continued reading, cooking, …-
Thank you so much for checking out my blog and taking the time to leave a comment! My blog is not focused on diabetic recipes but I do have a few low glycemic recipes so let me know if you try any :).
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i’m glad I found your website. I’ve been looking for healthy recipes specially soups which my husband loves and for my children to enjoy. Dinner is our family bonding time where we enjoy each other. I will try the Hearty Chicken and White Beans Soup which ingredients we have here in the Philippines. We always have vegetables, fish and chicken as our food. T
he pictures shown are so hmm… yummy. Thanks Maria. Take care always. -
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